Tributes have been paid to John Timpson, former presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, who has died at the age of 77.
Jenny Abramsky, BBC Director of Radio and Music, said: “John was one of the greats of radio broadcasting. His partnership with Brian Redhead was one of the great broadcasting duets.
“His sense of humour and humanity shone through in all his broadcasting and during his time on Today the programme’s journalism went from strength to strength.”
Kevin Marsh, Editor, Today, said: “John Timpson was one of the great broadcasters.
“I grew up listening to him and he was one of the reasons that I got into radio broadcasting. I admired him hugely and he represented everything that the BBC stands for.”
Sue MacGregor, former Today presenter, said: “I did my very first Today broadcast sitting next to John Timpson and he was a comforting and reassuring presence. In fact, that was his radio persona – avuncular, often teasingly lugubrious, dependable and funny.
“He was the master of the one-liner quip and brought a totally professional presence to the tricky business of fronting Today.
“He and Brian Redhead were quite rightly considered to be the first couple of serious radio broadcasting.”
John Humphrys, Today presenter, said: “The partnership between John Timpson and Brian Redhead was the cornerstone for what the Today programme has become.
“They were a brilliant double act – both hard news men and wonderful relaxed broadcasters.
“John’s droll humour made him a greatly loved figure. I took over from him 19 years ago and it was a very hard act to follow.”
Today presenter James Naughtie said: “Although I never worked with John Timpson, all of us who work on the programme feel its history very keenly and John was a bright star in that galaxy. No one will ever forget that voice.”